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There is one Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facility in Grand Forks that serves all of North Dakota and parts of North Western Minnesota. This facility processes immigrants who are required to check in with ICE as part of their immigration process. People who are following the law and doing things the right way. And they are being horribly mistreated by this system.
I have been accompanying individuals to their ICE check ins every month since August 2025 when a request was made from the friend of a friend for accompaniment. There is not much you can do in an accompaniment role besides provide support for the person going through the process and being a witness to what they are going through. Today I am honoring my role of witness.
The ICE facility in Grand Forks is not equipped to handle the appointment demand. This is not a new problem and has been occurring for years. People who are required to check in at this building are forced to stand outside for hours at a time without shelter from the elements or a place to rest. I have seen elderly folks, children, infants, a man in a full leg brace, people without coats or hats or mittens, all forced to wait in line outside in freezing temperatures for hours at a time with no ability to address this inhumane treatment. The nature of these check-ins creates a power dynamic that prevents anything but compliance with the system from those going through it.
Jelisa
RRCC 